A flawless paint job depends heavily on what you do before painting. Meticulous preparation is the key to achieving outstanding results. As professional painters serving the Northern Virginia area, we know the best way to prepare – before we begin painting. We don’t skimp on the prep work before painting your home.

Below are some helpful tips on preparing a space for painting.

Furniture

• • • We need to easily move around in a room while painting and have full access to all the spaces we’ll be painting.
    • Items, including furniture, might need to be moved to the center of the room or to a different room.
    • Items remaining in the room will be well-covered in case of paint spatters.
    • The walls will be cleared of things like picture frames, nails, and light and outlet covers.

Inspect Walls

• • • Before priming and painting, we will inspect surfaces for cracks, holes, or nicks and perform necessary wall repairs.
    • If we find any repairs to be made, we will use a high-quality spackling compound to carefully fill any holes, cracks, or dents.
    • Once completely dry, we will sand the spackling using fine-grit sandpaper and wipe down the walls after the sanding.
    • Before starting, we will ensure that the walls are clean and grease-free.

Protecting Before Painting

• • • We’re always careful to tape edges where needed before we open a paint can. (Don’t ever skip this step if you’re doing the painting yourself.) Painter’s tape is carefully applied using short strips.
    • We cover your floors with a drop cloth or plastic sheet to prevent paint from staining the floors.
    • We cover chandeliers if they’re not being removed.
    • We’re always careful to double-check that anything left in the room is well-covered.

Primer

• • • We will usually use a primer before we paint a surface. It helps disguise any wall repairs and helps the paint adhere better to the underlying surface.

Painting

• • • Once all the prep work is done, we’re ready to start transforming the room with a meticulous paint job.

Painting a room involves several steps, as you can see. Our expertise and experience have earned us many loyal customers. We offer a free, no-obligation estimate if you would like us to assess your project. We have been serving clients throughout Northern Virginia for more than two decades.

FAQ

1. What should I do before the painters from Home Works Painting arrive?

Before the painters arrive, remove wall hangings, photos, and decorative items from the rooms being painted. Store these items safely away from the work area. It’s also a good idea to make arrangements for pets to be out of the way during the project for their safety. There’s no need to cover furniture or floors, remove window coverings, or purchase paint—these tasks will be handled by the painting team.

2. Why is wall preparation important before painting?

Wall preparation is essential for achieving a clean, smooth surface that allows paint to adhere properly. This step helps ensure a more attractive and durable finish. Skipping proper prep can result in uneven coverage, peeling paint, and a shorter lifespan for your new paint job. Proper prep also helps the paint color distribute evenly and prevents imperfections from showing through the final coat.

3. What does Home Works Painting include in their prep process?

The prep process typically involves covering and protecting all furnishings and floors, removing switch and electrical plates, repairing cracks and nail pops, sanding glossy surfaces and trim, scraping and sanding rough areas, caulking wood trim as needed, applying sealers to stains, and cleaning up the work area after the job is done.

4. Do I need to clean or sand my walls before the painters arrive?

You do not need to clean or sand the walls yourself. The painting team will handle all necessary surface preparation, including cleaning, sanding, and repairing imperfections to ensure the best results.

5. Is primer always necessary before painting?

Primer isn’t required for every project, but it is recommended for bare drywall, stained or repaired areas, bare wood, high-gloss finishes, or when making significant color changes. The painters will assess your walls and apply primer where needed to ensure optimal paint adhesion and a uniform finish.

Mike Katounas

Mike Katounas is the owner of Home Works Painting, a painting business in Northern Virginia. He has over 15 years of experience in residential interior and exterior painting, drywall installation/repair, carpentry, wallpaper removal, power washing, commercial painting, color consultation, and staining/sealing. Their service areas include Chantilly, Fairfax, Herndon, Oakton, Reston. Mike takes pride in his work, and he always follows a strict code of conduct that includes the use of quality paint, a clean workspace, and an honest, respectful approach to his customers.